The Iowa Communications Alliance (ICA) firmly believes that the Internet is a powerful tool that helps Iowa grow and thrive. The state-based industry association serves as an advocate, catalyst, educator, and resource for Iowa’s community-based broadband providers, like Webster-Calhoun, working to build a more connected, empowered, and prosperous future for all Iowans.
“Iowa is unique—our state has more independent, community-based internet providers than any other state in the nation,” states Marcie Boerner, CEO/GM, Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association, “which makes this award truly special.”
Webster-Calhoun is one of 120 ICA member companies across Iowa, and these local providers do more than deliver service—they invest in communities and in students who represent the future of rural Iowa.
The mission of the ICA scholarship is to assist students from rural areas across Iowa with financial support as they pursue higher education—and to encourage them to bring their talents back to rural Iowa after graduation. Scholarship applicants are students who have a parent, grandparent, or guardian employed by an ICA member broadband provider. Each year, the ICA Scholarship Committee selects two students to receive a $2,500 scholarship for the upcoming school year.
Drew Dorsey and Addison English are the 2026 ICA Scholarship recipients. Drew Dorsey is a senior at Southeast Valley High School in Gowrie. Drew plans to attend Iowa Central Community College this fall to study Electrical Technologies. His dad, AJ, is a technician at Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association. Addison English recently completed her first year at Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, IA. She is in the Nursing program there, working on her BSN. Addison’s mom, Sara, is the Human Resource Manager at KCTC in Kalona.
Boerner recognized Dorsey at the recent Southeast Valley senior awards night prior to graduation. “Drew’s goals reflect the same hands-on skill, problem-solving, and community-minded spirit that keeps rural Iowa strong. It is my absolute honor to present him with the Iowa Communications Alliance Scholarship in the amount of $2,500 to support his education during the 2026–2027 school year.”
Iowa Communication Alliance (ICA)
The Iowa Communications Alliance is the nation’s largest state-based association of community-based broadband providers. Its 250+ members provide and enable high-quality, state-of-the-art communications services to Iowans, leading the state to be among the nation’s leaders in fiber-optic deployment.
You can learn more about the Iowa Communication Alliance on their website.
Webster-Calhoun
Webster-Calhoun Cooperative Telephone Association provides fiber-driven Internet, Wi-Fi, Telephone, and TV services to homes and businesses across 21 growing communities.
WCCTA is Gigabit Certified and designated a Smart Rural Community by NTCA: the Rural Broadband Association.
Rooted in Community. Ready for Tomorrow.